Viscosimeter



`lune 14, 1932.

G. C. FAIRBARN VISGOSIMETER Filed Jan. l5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l wlw@ mn@ mmdmm .fm-I.-

vwemtpz 3512* )iw @Wto/rm Junel 14,1932. G. c. FAIRBAIRN VISGOSIMETER Filed Jan. 15, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 14, 1932. G. c. FAIRBAIRN VI SCOSIMETER Filed Jan. 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 14, 1932l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGEiC. FAIRBAIRN, F PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE TEXAS COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION DELAWARE vrscosinnrnn Application mea January 15, 1930. serial No. 420,863.

This invention relates to viscosimeters and more particularly to viscosimeter apparatus by means of which the viscosity of liqmds,

especially oils, may be rapidly and accurately determined.

Among the novel features of the invention the following may be briefly set forth:

The provision of means whereby a bath adapted to contain a plurality of viscosimeter tubes may be uniformly and constantly maintained at any desired temperature.

The provision of thermo-regulator mechanism possessing a very high degree of sensitivity adapted to regulate the temperature of the bath liquid.

The provision of mechanical stoppers for the viscosimeter discharge tubes and automatic means whereby these individual stoppers may be released while simultaneously starting individual second counters or other suitable timing devices adapted to determine accurately the time of ellluX of a given quantity of liquid from the viscosimeter tubes.

These and other novel features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description which has reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating diagrammatically and in some detail a p referred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration, partially in section., of the viscosimeter apparatus and the several electric circuits.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the viscosimeter bath container showing disposition of heating element, stirring paddles, viscosity tubes, cte. within the bath.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation, partly in section. of the thermo-regulator mechanism.

Figure 4 is a partial plan View of the thermo-regulator mechanism shown in Fig-A ure Figure 5 is an enlarged plan View of the rotating Contact disc of the thermo-regulator mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a view in sectional elevation of a viscosimeter receptacle discharge tube and stopper mechanism.

Figure 7 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of an electro-magnetic switch for simultaneously starting a second counter and releasing a viscosimeter tube stopper mechanism.

Figure 8 is a view in elevation of the contacting mechanism of the electro-magnetic 5 switch shown in Fig. 7.

In Figures 1 and 2 a rectangular chamber 1 or bath container having a cover plate la fabricated from steel or some other suitable material, adapted to contain a heating fluid is appropriately heat insulated on the sides and bottom by an asbestos material 2 which is held in place by a meta-l covering or jacket 3. Sheet asbestos may preferably be used to insulate the bottom of the chamber instead of powdered material in order to provide a more solid and rigid base.

A plurality of viscosimeter receptacles or tubes 4 and discharge tubes 61 such as are used in conventional viscosity testing machines extend through the bath from top to bottom in a manner similar to that employed in the conventional single tube viscosity testing machine. The joints between the discharge tubes 61 and the bottom of the bath 75 are made proof against leaks so as to prevent the escape of the heating fluid from within the bath.

i An electrical heating coil 5 preferably composed of two coil elements 5a and 56 of niso chrome ribbon or other suitable resistance wire, non-inductively Wound about a tube or supporting means 6 and having terminals 7a and 7b at one end and a single terminal 8 at the opposite end, all of which are connected with an electrical power supply transmitting system 46 through a relay switch 9 which is controlled by a thermo-regulator mechanism or circuit controller 10, as will be fully described later in the detailed discussion of Figures 3, 4, and 5, is placed within the bath l preferably extending lengthwise therethrough about mid-way between the sides and so that it is completely submerged in the bath liquid at all times.

The supporting means 6 is preferably a section of copper tubing having brass flanges 1l threaded on at each end, which are in turn fastened to the end plates of the bath by flange bolts 12. Gaskets are inserted between 100 the arllges and 9 such as may be readily obtained on the market and of which the principles and operationare generally understood.

The relay coils 9a of which 9 have two terminals X and Y as shown in Fig. 1, the terminal X is directly connected by a wire 47 to a current conductor 46a of an electrical power supply transmitting system 46, leading from a source of supply not shown, while the terminal Y is connected by a wire 53 to the terminal 44 ofthe circuit controller brush 42. The terminal 33a at the pivoted end of arm 31is connected by a wire 54 to the conductor 46?) of the transmission system or circuit 46. Consequentlywhen the tip 35 of arm 31 makes contact with the rotating disc 36 an electrical circuit is completed through the (Ielay coils 9a causing them to be energize The relay coils 9a control by mechanical means the making and breaking of contact between the contact points N-M and N-O of the relay switch. That is when the relay coils 9a are energized, contact between N and M is established by the rocking ot' a mercury contactor 9?) while contact between N and O is broken and conversely when the relay coils 9a are deenergized'co'ntact betweeny contact points N and O is established while Contact between contact points N and M is broken.

The operation of the switch is such that itl has no neutral position.

The relay switch 9 maybe connected so that the contact point N and the contact point M on one side of the switchform a means for either closing or opening the circuit, which includes the heating coil 5, by rocking the conta-ctor 9b while the Contact point N and contact point O on the other side of the switch form a means for either closing or opening a separate circuit, which includes the solenoid valve 14, by rocking the contacter 9b.

The heating coil circuit preferably comprises a branch current conductor 49 having a hand switch 49a lea-ding from the main current conductor 465 and connecting directly to the terminals 7a and 7b of the dual heating coil 5, a branch current conductor 48 leading from the main current conductor 46a and connecting directly to the contact point N ot' the relay switch 9, and another branch conductor 50 connecting the Contact point M of the relay switch 9 with the single terminal 8 at the other end of the heating coil 5.

The solenoid valve circuit comprises a branch current conductor 51 leading from the main current conductor 466 and connecting directly with a terminal 14a of the solenoid valve .14, the wire 48 previously described and the branch current conductor 52 connecting the contact point O of relay switch 9 with another terminal 14?) of the solenoid valve 14. y

Then the bath temperature falls below a l predetermined point the thermostat element 26 causes the arm 31 to make contact with the rotating disc 35 thereby completing a circuit through and energizing the relay coils 9a of relay switch 9 which operates to establish a contact between the points N and M of the relay switch causing an electrical current to flow through the heating coil elements having just previously broken the contact between the points N and O of the solenoid valve circuit side of the relay switch, which caused the valve 14 to close and thereby stop the How of water or cooling medium through the cooling tube 6. On the other hand it is to be seen that when the temperature ott the bath liquid` exceeds a certain predetermined point the thermostat 26 will cause the arm 31 to break contact with the rotating disc 35 thereby opening the relay coil circuit, deenergizing the relay coils which causes the position of the mercury contactor to be reversed so that the heating element circuit is opened stopping the flow of electrical current therethrough while the solenoid valve 14 is opened permitting cooling fluid to low through tube 6.

Vilhile the elements of the heating coil 5 are shown connected in parallel, it may be preferable in some cases to substitute a three way switch for the one way switch 49a whereby the elements may be connected -either singly or in parallel' or in series to thereby vary the amount of heat added to the bath liquid which serves to permit a variance in the operating temperature of the visccsimeter over a wide temperature range and also makes provision for considerable changes in atmospheric conditions surrounding the machine. L

ln Fig. 6 number 4 refers to a conventional Viscosimeter receptacle or tube having a cylindrical chamber 55 the upper portion ot which is ot enlarged diameter to form a cuplike container y56 while the lower portion 57 is of reduced diameter, having a restricted passage or orice 58 therethrough, and is threade so as to be screwed into a discharge tube 61, the joint between the tube 4 and the discharge tube 61 being made leak proof by means of a suitable gasket 60.

The discharge tube 61 is similar to the conventional type of discharge tube, available on the market, having a non-restricted lid@ passage therethrough, a circular shoulder 63 intermediate the ends thereof and its upper end'having internal threads to accomnio'date the reduced threaded end 57 yof the receptacle 55 while its lower portion is threadc'd externally to accommodate a securingnutV 64. The discharge tube 61 having the recep-l lili v bracket 66 by a pin et 66 which is adapted to slip over the threaded portion ofthe tube protruding beyond the bottom of the bath container is preferably held in position by the nut 64.

Referring to Figures 1, 7 and 8 the electromagnetic switch mechanism, which may be mounted on a suitable panel 78 attached to a frame or legs supporting the viscosimeter bath, comprises a conventional electro-magnet ,or relay 79 supported in an appropriate metal frame 8O which is rigidly attached to two vertical members 81a and 816, preferably :made of a phenolic condensation product or another non-conductive material, which are rigidly mounted on the panel 78 having suitable spacers 82a and 826 preferably made of brass, set between the ends of the members 81a and 816 and the panel 78. l

Attached to the vertical'members 81a and 816 are spring contact strips 84a and 846, each having a binding post to which may also be fastened branch conductors 85a and 856. A slidable member 86 is provided, preferably of a phenolic condensation product or the ,like which has a contact strip 87 attached thereto. rlhe contact strip 87 serves to establish contact between the spring strips 84a and 846 terminating the branch conductors 85a and 856 when it is moved upwardly and makes joint contact therewith as the attaching slidable member 86 is moved upwardly.

`The spring strips press against the contact strip 87 to insure positive contact between the spring strips and the contact strip 87. One end of the lever 88 projects through an opening 89 provided in the slidable member, thus making it available for manual actuation at times, while the other end which is threaded to adjustably accommodate a counter-weight 91, is closely attached to the frame by a pin 90.

A depending arm 67 of the bracket 66 supports an electro-magnet 68 while a depending arm 69 supports a stopper arm 70 rockably attached thereto by a pin 71. One end of a tension spring 72 is attached to the stopper arm preferably near its midpoint while the other end is suitably attached at a point 7 3 on horizontal extension of the arm 69 so as to hold the stopper arm' 70 back in an open position when the stopper is released. A depending catch 7 4, pivotally swung from the 75, is adapted to hold the faceof a stopper element 76, which is a separable part of the stopper arm 70, tightly against the protruding end of the discharge tube 61, in which position of the stopper arm spring 72 is somewhat extended. The stopper element 76 preferably consists of a disc shaped piece of cork appropriately secured in the stopper arm 70 which may be replaced When the electro-magnet 68 is energized the free end of the depending catch is attracted by the magnet 84 and it is caused Whenevernecessary.

, by the spring Leestaa to swing towards the magnet thus releasing the stopper arm 70 which is immediately jerked back to the limit of its open position 72 as is shown in the drawings.

The electro-magnet 68 is preferably connected in series with a second counter 77, which is merely indicated in Fig. 1 and which will not be described as this is conventional equipment and may be readily obtained in the market, and suitable electro-magnetic switch mechanism particularly adapted to start the counter simultaneously as the stopper is released which will now be described in detail.

The lever 88, which is preferably ot' steel, is normally raised by the electro-magnet 79 and lifts with it the slidable member 86, thereby moving the strip 87 into contact with the spring strips 84a and 846 thus closing the circuit. Due to the pressure of the spring strips 84a and 846 upon the contact strip 87 land also the counterbalancing eiiect of the counterweight 91 the switch will remain in a closed position without the electro-magnet 79 being maintained in an energized state. This circuit is normally opened by manually lowering the lever 88.

The circuit which transmits power to energize the electro-magnet 79 is shown extensively in Fig. 1. Number 98 indicates a transformer adapted to step a relatively high voltage down to a relatively low voltage to thus furnish a relatively low voltage to a series circuit which comprises the relay 68 ot the discharge tube stopper release mechanism, relay 79 of the electro-magnet switch mechanism and the actuating mechanism of the second counter 77. Terminal B on the secondary side of transformer 98 is connected by a wire 97 to terminal B of the second counter 77 while the other secondary terminal A is connected by a wire 96-to one terminal of the relay 68 the other terminal of which is connected by a wire 95 to one side of a push button switch 92. The other side ot' the switch 92 is connected by a wire 94a to one terminal of the relay 79 the other terminal of which is connected by a wire 946 to the terminal A of the second counter 77. rlerminal A of transformer 98 is also connected by the wire 856 to the spring contact strip 846 while Contact spring strip 84a is connected by the wire 85a to terminal A ot' the second counter 77 thus forming an individual or separate circuit for the second counter 77 which is closed or opened depending upon the position of the switch lever 88. Accordingly when the push button 92 is closed the circuit is closed, simultaneously energizing relays 68 and 79 with the result that the second counter 77 is started at the exact instant that stopper 70, upon being released by catch 74, is jerked open by the spring 72 thus permitting the liquid within the receptacle or tube 4 to discharge through asv the discharge tube 6l into a receiving flask 100.

Once the relay 79 has closed the contacts 84a and 84o the second counter continues to operate even after the push button switch 92 is released and normally it may be stopped only by manually lowering the switch lever 88 which is preferably donelas soon as the liquid level in the receiving flask reaches a graduation mark 101.

Thus by the perfect timing of the mechanical operation 0f the stopper release mechanism simultaneously with that of the second counter starting switch mechanism the simultaneous start-ing of the discharge of the fluidk to be tested and the starting of the second counter is accomplished, which insures that the determination or reading of theviscosity test maybe made to a degree'of precision much greater than has hitherto been possible with the conventional viscosimeter machine where manual removal simultaneously of the stopper and starting of the timing device is attempted.

While the use of alternating current has heating element for opening and closing the valve in the tube member to control the passage ofthe cooling fluid through the tube around which the is coiled.

3. A viscosimeter bath comprising a receptacle for holding the bath fluid, a heating element disposed in the receptacle, means for making and breaking the through said element comprising, a switch for controlling the energization of the hea-ti ing element, a controly circuit for said switch, including a coil adapted to actuate said switch, a continuously rotating contact member and a movable arm in series with said coil, said arm having at one end a contact point adapted to form a non-sticking contact with the rotating contact surface, and means responsive 'to changes in temperature in the bath fluid for moving thearm into contact and away from the rotating AContact surface to make and break the circuit through said coil. i

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of December, 1929.

` GEORGE O. FAIRBAIRN.

been mentioned in describing the electrical apparatus, the apparatus is readily adaptable to the employment of direct current.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, as herein set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A viscosimeter bath comprising a receptacle for holding the bath fluid, a centrally disposed horizontal tube extending through i the receptacle, a heating element coiled around a portion of said tube within the receptacle and connected to a sourc of electrical energy, means for making and breaking the electrical circuit through said coil in response to changes in the temperature of the bath fluid, and means for passing a fluid cooling medium .through the tube suporting the heating element to absorb excess heat from the heating coil when the temperature of the bath fluid exceeds a predetermined maximum.

2. A viscosimeter bath comprising a rceptacle for holding the bath fluid, a centrally disposed horizontal tube extending through the -receptacle, a heating element coiled around a portion of said tube within the receptacle and connected to a source of electrical energy, breaking the electrical circuit through said coil, a valved tubular member connected at one end to a source of a fluid cooling medium and at its other end to the tube extending through the receptacle, and means responsive to fluctuations in the temperature of the bath for alternatelybreaking and making the electrical circuit through the heating element and means for makingv and electrical circuit- 

